Penn Wood stays undefeated with 36-12 win over Norristown

September 17, 2016

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Penn Wood quarterback Javon Lindsey-Terrell looks for a receiver during the Sept. 17, 2016 game at Norristown. (Bob Raines – Digital First Media)

WEST NORRITON >> Penn Wood coach Nick Lincoln was animated in the post-game huddle Saturday, and seemingly for good reason. His visiting Patriots had just beaten Norristown to the tune of 36-12.

That boosted Penn Wood’s record to 4-0 on the season, matching the Patriots’ win total of the last three seasons combined. Their next victory will match their cumulative victory total of the previous five seasons.

It would be a rather obvious understatement to suggest that things are on the upswing for the Penn Wood football program.

That said, it should be noted that while Lincoln may have been animated, he didn’t appear so jubilant. In fact, he wasn’t praising his team. He was doling out a loud verbal reminder.

In winning the game, the Patriots had committed a whopping 17 penalties for 180 yards. So make it 49 penalties over the last three games for them … and they’re 4-0?

“After this, we might be the penalized team in the district,” Lincoln said. “We had a dominant performance, but all the penalties are unacceptable.”

That will take on an even greater sense of urgency next weekend, as the Patriots visit Haverford School. The Fords had just lost Friday night for the first time in 22 games. They won’t be in such a great mood, nor will they be as forgiving as Norristown.

“I don’t even feel like we won,” said Patriots defensive lineman Kenny Ngaima. “I’m glad we won, but I don’t feel good about it.”

The Patriots were dominant on the field.

Norristown's Tyler Tate wins the battle with Zion Vaughn for the blocked Penn Wood point-after kick Sept. 17, 2016. (Bob Raines--Digital First Media) — Norristown’s Tyler Tate wins the battle with Zion Vaughn for the blocked Penn Wood point-after kick Sept. 17, 2016. (Bob Raines–Digital First Media)

Quarterback Javon Lindsey-Terrell threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns, running backs Answered Gleplay and Tyreem Welton combined for nearly 140 yards on the ground and Raheim Bowers made seven mostly acrobatic catches and scored a pair of touchdowns.

And the visitors never really looked to be in trouble after pulling away from a 14-6 halftime lead with a strong second half that included a you-had-to-see-it-to-believe catch by Bowers on a 23-yard touchdown play and a 61-yard touchdown play on a quick out to Kennedy Poles that essentially ended the game less than 30 seconds into the fourth quarter.

“It’s one of those things,” said Norristown head coach Jason Powel. “We tried to get out to a fast start, and we shot ourselves in the foot.

“We dug a hole we couldn’t get out of.”

Even with a commanding lead, the penalties didn’t slow down.

On their final possession of the fourth quarter, for example, the Patriots were whistled for no fewer than four infractions.

Norristown quarterback Steve Depaul sends a pass over the middle during the game against Penn Wood Sept. 17, 2016. (Bob Raines -Digital First Media)

“We can’t play like this next week,” Lincoln said. “Haverford School just lost to Perkiomen Valley, so they’re going to be hungry. Our running game has been solid, and we were able to pound (Norristown) the whole game. And this team is working and playing hard and I’m proud of that.

“But we have to be more disciplined.”

“We haven’t had a full game without the penalties and playing disciplined,” Ngaima added. “And we better do that next week.”